Site Products
Tip of the week: Serve and Attack . . . Almost Always

Tip of the week: Serve and Attack . . . Almost Always

(By Larry Hodges)
Tip of the week: Serve and Attack . . . Almost Always

When serving, don’t look for a ball to attack. Unless the receiver does something to stop you from attacking, serve and attack over and over. If you aren’t confident in your attack, then this will make your attack much stronger and turn you into a better player.

There are tactical exceptions to this, but they are relatively few. Defensive players such as choppers and blockers might serve and only attack if they see a relatively easy attack, but even they should look to serve and attack every chance so as to develop their attacks. Against a receiver with a weak attack you might tactically wait for a better shot rather than force the attack off your serve against a relatively good return – but even there it’s good practice to serve and attack so you keep getting better at it. Sometimes it’s good tactics to catch your opponent off guard by not attacking, such as a sudden drop shot or quick push against a player expecting you to attack and not ready to attack themselves. But generally, and perhaps even relentlessly, you’ll find more success if you serve and attack whenever the receiver doesn’t do something to stop you from attacking.

None of this means you have to serve and rip a winner every time. You only do that if you do get a relatively weak return. Attacks should be varied – forehand or backhand; hard, medium, or soft; usually deep, but when attacking more softly vary the depth; to the opponent’s middle (elbow) or wide corners, or even outside the corners; and with varying amounts of topspin and sometimes sidespin. Never serve and blindly attack; attack, but attack with purpose!

For original article, please click here

Latest News

Pan Am Championships: Early Action

October 14, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Singles started on Sunday, with top seeds in action on Monday. at the… Read More

Laurent Jutras Vigneault – Forehand Opening Loop from underspin

October 14, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Laurent Jutras Vigneault is working on his opening loop from… Read More

Zyre 03: Redefining Power and Spin in Modern Table Tennis

October 13, 2025
(By Edgardo Vazquez/Bowmar Sports) In top-level table tennis, every detail counts. The choice of rubber can be the… Read More

Tip of the Week – Your Evolving Relationship With a Coach

October 13, 2025
By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame When you start out, the coach is… Read More

Rogelio Castro – Short Push vs Long Push

October 13, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Rogelio Castro is executing a touch drill that consist of… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Gold Coast Table Tennis Club

October 12, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) With their location on Main Street in Port Washington, the Gold Coast Table Tennis Club… Read More

ITTF Para Pan Am Championships: Van Emburgh, Seidenfeld, and Leibovitz Win Gold

October 12, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 ITTF Para Pan American Championships wrapped up this weekend in Sao… Read More

World Rankings: Chuqin Extends Lead, Lebrun Up 2 Spots

October 12, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The China Smash victory last year gives Wang Chuqin 10,900 ranking points, building… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.